TUS receives top award for gender equality action plan
European Commission allocates €100,000 to support university’s ongoing efforts
STAFF at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) have received a top European award for their work to advance gender equality.
The college, which has campuses at Clare Street in the city centre as well as Moylish and Coonagh on the city’s northside, was given the honour by the European Commission in Brussels.
The award targets academic and research organisations across Europe which have implemented and successfully progressed gender equality plans.
In addition, the university received €100,000.
Its gender equality action plan comprises 104 things which it hopes will be implemented across a three-year period.
These actions cover equality diversity inclusion committee structures, policy development, training and staff engagement initiatives.
TUS president, Professor Vincent Cunnane, said: “We are honoured to accept this prestigious EU award, which recognises TUS’s leadership in advancing gender equality and inclusivity in higher education and research. The TUS gender equality action plan reflects our commitments to supporting and enabling gender equality within TUS.”
Accepting the award in Brussels on behalf of TUS, its vice-president for people, culture and electronic data interchange, Marian Duggan, said: “The achievement of this EU award is a result of collective multi- campus efforts to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment for all in the TUS community. I acknowledge everyone’s support in embedding gender equality and equality more broadly across TUS activities, supported by our EDI Office.”
TUS electronic data interchange manager Dr Carol Wrenn added: “This recognition inspires us to continue our journey of institutional transformation towards greater inclusivity and equality. While significant progress has been made, the work doesn’t stop here; we remain committed to further advancing this cause collaboratively and are delighted to receive this additional funding to continue our work.”
Established in 2022, the European Commission's gender equality champions award aims to inspire academic and research organisations across Europe to prioritise and advance gender equality through institutional change.